2nd Hottest Summer on Record So Far!

The first half of summer here in North Texas has been highlighted with 100 degree heat and a lack of rain. When you look at the June 1 thru July 13th time frame, this is the 2nd hottest start to a summer on record. 1980 is the only summer that has been hotter than what we have experienced so far. The records go back 113 years, so this is the 2nd hottest start to summer in 113 years.

ANOTHER 100 DEGREE DAY…

We did get to 103 degrees at DFW today. That makes the 12th day in a row with temperatures at or above 100 degrees. And for the year we now have 19 days with temperatures in the triple digits. In an average year we only see 16. Heat Advisory remains in effect until 9pm Thursday for most of North Texas.

SLIGHT COOL DOWN POSSIBLE…

There is some indication that we might see the heat wane slightly next week and possibly some rain chances. The big ridge of high pressure that has been over Texas for the past few weeks is forecasted to move north into the Midwest. This would allow for upper level winds to come out of the east. A series of disturbances could roll in from the east and bring scattered rain chances for most of the area starting Monday afternoon. Right now I am only going to keep 20% rain coverage in the forecast, but the possibility is there for greater rain coverage starting on Monday and continuing into Tuesday and Wednesday of next week.

Here is a more in-depth look at the position of that upper level high pressure system. Below is the upper level flow at 500 mb (about 19,000 feet). That big H on the map is our upper level high pressure system. (text Continues below)

Now notice where this high will be by next Tuesday. It has shifted up to the north and a few weak disturbances will move in from the east on the south side of this high. This type of pattern would hopefully allow for greater coverage of afternoon showers and thunderstorms. It may even knock temperatures down into the upper 90s for a day or two.